City Comparison

Barcelona vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Barcelona

Spain
78
Very Affordable
$365,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$37,500
Median Income

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

0.0%

Barcelona is 0.0% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Barcelona would need approximately $75,000 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
95
Barcelona
52
Springfield
Groceries
72
Barcelona
98
Springfield
Utilities
82
Barcelona
98
Springfield
Transportation
85
Barcelona
114
Springfield
Healthcare
68
Barcelona
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $75,000 in Barcelona.

Living in Barcelona vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Barcelona's housing index of 95 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $365,000 vs $162,000. The $203,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,200 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Barcelona compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 72 in Barcelona and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $342/month in Barcelona vs $466/month in Springfield. Barcelona offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1488/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Barcelona and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Barcelona vs $392 in Springfield. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 68 in Barcelona and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $37,500 in Barcelona and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,077 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $875/month to housing in Barcelona vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Barcelona, median rent of $1,375/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Barcelona is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 78.
A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Barcelona's housing index is 95 with median homes at $365,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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